12.10.2012

Join children's book author, illustrator, and long-time Somerville resident, Jef Czekaj, for an afternoon of fun and art. Using a combination of music, videos, and collaborative drawing activities, Jef will talk and rap about, um, what he does all day.

Jef will show his progression as an artist, from a young kid on Long Island who liked to draw funny superhero comics, to an award-winning "professional" author and illustrator. He'll also share how he goes about writing and illustrating a book and talk about the tools he uses.

10.24.2012

This SATURDAY, October 27th, is the Boston Book Festival!I'll be introducing Mr. Lemony Snicket at 11:00 (at Old South Sanctuary)and then at 2:45 I'll be reading YES, YES, YAUL! (at the Boston Public Library's Popular Reading Room)

There's lots of other great non-Jef-related events too. Read about them here.

10.03.2012

Ugh, this is everything I hate about "kids" music wrapped into one annoying video.

"PRESCHOOL POPSTARS is an adorable trio of little cartoon girls who sing, rap, and dance. Their names are Hailey, Bailey, and Jazz, and their new album "Daycare Dance Party" features an exciting mix of pop, hip-hop and country styles. And though these sassy little divas are in still in preschool, their clever brand of music appeals to children of all ages and even grown ups."

9.27.2012

I know, I know, Will Smith's son does not need more press, but, come on, how can you not be charmed by this dude?

The video is full of that Spike Lee dolly shot trick (so Jaden looks like he's floating, rather than walking, down the lovely streets of L.A.) and Mr. Smith's flow is surprisingly impressive and complicated. He also looks an awful lot like his dad

Why wasn't this released in July? Seems like it would have been an awesome summer jam.

9.20.2012

1. Amor Lilman is a (good!) 9-year-old rapper.
2. It features a cameo by (a very awkward) Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President.
3. It might be the only rap song whose message my mom can wholeheartedly support (baggy pants, yuck!).
4. It is painfully catchy.
5. Some DJ should play this and Cameltoe by Fannypack (which, btw, is not kid-friendly) back to back.

9.18.2012

Engine, Engine, Number Nine, On the New York transit line, If my train goes off the track, Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!Medium-interesting fact about Black Sheep: They were the first rap group to appear on the Tonight Show w Jay Leno.Just as a heads-up, this video has some disturbing imagery (drugs, guns, stereotypical images of black people), but the whole point of the video is to not choose those things (in the video, that stuff is crumpled up and tossed away by the Black Sheep).As always, best to watch it first before you share it with your kids.I'm working on a new mix of good kid-friendly rap. I should post it here soon!

8.03.2012

Um, remember in that last post I explained how the late-80's/early-90's were a weird time for rap music, as big business figured out there was money to be made from hip-hop culture? Well, um, I guess this video shows that the mid-90's were a weird time too.

This song is from Space Jam, a movie which somehow starred both Bugs Bunny AND Michael Jordan. It is not good. That said, I do kind of like this song. B-Real, Method and Busta all put in respectable efforts considering the blandness of the beat.

Also, I'm willing to bet that this is the only time that Coolio and a member of the Wu appear on the same track.

8.01.2012

OK, so from here on out Wednesdays are all about highlighting the worst in kid-friendly rap. Unfortunately, there's an awful lot to choose from.

Oh my child, have a seat and allow me to tell you about the confusing era known as the late-80's/early-90's. Advertisers had finally figured out that this whole rap thing was maybe more than just a passing fad, and it was time to try to make some $$$$$ off it.

The result: many commercials liks this one.

You know it's going to be a rough ride when the lyrics start with the phrase "I'm" blah-blah-blah "and I'm here to say."

Also: the copywriters couldn't think of a better rap name than Master Rapper?

7.27.2012

Check out this super-old live clip by ESG (you weren't even born yet)!

OK, these guys aren't TECHNICALLY rap, but their music is some of the most sampled in all of hip hop history. From Big Daddy Kane to J. Cole, the rap world owes the Scroggins sisters from the Bronx a lot of gratitude.

7.26.2012

This video is dope. It'd be awesome to show kids this video and see when/if they figure out exactly how it was made. The concept is so simple (here's Spike Jonez's one-page treatment description), but it's really well done. Plus, it's a great song and it looks like they're having an awesome time making it.

Keep an eye out for the Beastie Boys cameo.

Parental note: this is the "radio edit". The original has a couple of relatively minor curses in it.

7.24.2012

Saw these guys last night opening for Shabazz Palaces and dang they were good. Though most of their songs have, um, "adult"(though very posi) subject matters, this radio-edit live version of their song "Deeper" will do just fine.

"Jay/ Rain Man is back with little Ms. Sunshine/ Rihanna where you at"

Not surprisingly, most of Jay-Z's best songs are not kid-appropriate. But with a little digging you can find a few non-cussy verses. His rap on Umbrella is a mere 8-bars long, but at least he behaves himself.

7.19.2012

Hey Boston-area folks: Jef Czekaj will be doing a special book-reading/rapping of YES, YES, YAUL this weekend at Somerville's big art festival, Artbeat. He'll be teaming up with fellow too-many-consonants-in-their-name picture book author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka for a performance that will smoosh together rap and punk music, drawing and rapping into one epic book reading.

It all goes down Saturday, July 21 at 2:15 at the Starbucks Plaza right in Davis Square, Somerville. It's free and Jef and Jarrett will be autographing books!

HIP AND HOP DON'T STOP

(You should always watch/listen to whatever it is I suggest here before you unleash it on your children. My standard of what is "appropriate" for kids might be very different than your own. Read more.)